Hernandez’s HR leads Reds over Brewers 7-6

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5:40 pm CDT, Thursday, March 31, 2011

Photo: Al Behrman

Photo: Al Behrman

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Hernandez’s HR leads Reds over Brewers 7-6

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CINCINNATI — Ramon Hernandez hit a two-out, three-run homer in the bottom of the ninth inning Thursday, rallying the Cincinnati Reds to a 7-6 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers in an opening-day flashback to their NL Central title season.

The Brewers became the first team in 42 years to open the season with back-to-back homers when Rickie Weeks and Carlos Gomez connected off Edinson Volquez. Ryan Braun also had a solo shot, helping Milwaukee take a 6-3 lead to the ninth.

That’s when the Reds reverted to their winning ways of 2010. Their first six wins last season came in their final at-bat, tying the major league record. Hernandez connected off closer John Axford (0-1).

The Reds trailed 6-3 when Axford — who set a Milwaukee rookie record with 24 saves last season — let it get away. Cincinnati loaded the bases with none out, but Axford fanned Jay Bruce and got Jonny Gomes to hit a sacrifice fly to deep center.

Hernandez hit an opposite-field homer into the Brewers’ bullpen, setting off another hopping home-plate celebration like so many last season. The Reds tied for second-most wins in their final at-bat while taking the NL Central title.

Logan Ondrusek pitched a scoreless inning to get the win.

Braves 2, Nationals 0

WASHINGTON — Returning from major knee surgery, Chipper Jones doubled before scoring the 2011 season’s first run, and Derek Lowe allowed three singles in 5 2-3 innings, helping Fredi Gonzalez get the win in his debut as Atlanta’s manager.

The Braves played their first regular-season game since Bobby Cox retired at the end of 2010 after two decades — and 15 playoff appearances — as their skipper.

With his sinker in fine, darting form, Lowe (1-0) struck out six and walked two. Brian McCann drove in 1999 NL MVP Jones by grounding a single up the middle off Livan Hernandez (0-1) in the first, and Jason Heyward led off the second with a homer.

Craig Kimbrel worked a 1-2-3 ninth for the save, his second in the majors.

Hernandez allowed four hits, struck out three and walked none in 6 1-3 innings for the Nationals.

Padres 5, Cardinals 3, 11 innings

ST. LOUIS — Cameron Maybin tied it with a two-out homer in the ninth inning and grounded a single that led to the go-ahead run in the 11th, leading San Diego to the victory.

Cardinals star Albert Pujols shared a big hug with manager Tony La Russa during player introductions, then endured an awful start to what could be his 11th and final season in St. Louis.

Pujols grounded into a career-worst three double plays while going 0 for 5. The three-time NL MVP cut off contract negotiations at the start of spring training and could be a free agent this fall.

Shortstop Ryan Theriot’s fielding error in his St. Louis debut allowed the go-ahead run to score.

Matt Holliday homered in the eighth and had three hits for St. Louis.

Pat Neshek (1-0) pitched one inning for the win. Heath Bell closed for the save.